May 08, 2009

Celebration and Appreciation

Last week the Sierra Club hosted our Military Families Outdoors (MFO) Annual Dinner at the Tabard Inn in Washington, D.C. It was a wonderful evening to gather with our friends and partners from the Armed Services YMCA,National Military Family Association, and Outward Bound. We made new connections, discussed busy upcoming summer camp schedules, and celebrated the fact that by the end of this summer, together we will have provided over 26,000 veterans, military families and children with rejuvenating outdoor experiences. The photo to the right is of Sierra Club President Allison Chin with Armed Services YMCA Executive Director Frank Gallo RADM, USN (ret.) at the MFO Dinner.

The Military Families Outdoors program is Sierra Club's way of thanking veterans and military families for their amazing service to our country. Research shows that spending time outdoors is extremely valuable for our mental and physical health. We are proud to be connecting military families with outdoor experiences that can serve as a powerful tool in helping heal and empower veterans and their families dealing with the stresses of war.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen recently declared May 8th as "Military Spouse Appreciation Day." First Lady Michelle Obama said that it's a wonderful recognition, "but that's just one day. We should be doing it every day." She said she wants every military spouse to know they're loved, valued and appreciated, and that the administration will work hard to make sure that's realized.

Please be sure to thank a military spouse today, and help demonstrate how much we love, value and appreciate our military families today and every day.

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